UPSC Prelims 2020 CSAT Paper II · Q62 of 80 Comprehension medium

Passage

India has tremendous potential for solar energy. We all realize that we have to stop burning fossil fuels to meet our energy needs. But certain renewable resources are still going through their cost curves and learning curves to get the required amount of output. The Indian Government has strongly committed to its targets of reducing emissions by 33 per cent by 2030, and towards this it has initiated a strong push towards a gas-based economy and has also invested heavily in renewable energy. However, business houses are wary of investing too heavily in renewable energy at a time when the technology is not yet ready.

Which one of the following is the most logical and rational inference that can be made from the above passage?

  1. (a) India's commitment to reduce emissions by 33% is unlikely to be achieved.
  2. (b) India should import gas rather than invest in renewable resources.
  3. (c) Getting renewable resources to market too soon may be costly. ✓ UPSC's answer
  4. (d) India should put in more efforts in the exploration of natural gas.

Why the answer is (c)

• The passage states that renewable resources are still 'going through their cost curves and learning curves' to achieve the required output, implying current inefficiencies.

• It notes that business houses are 'wary of investing too heavily' because the 'technology is not yet ready,' linking premature investment to financial risk.

• Combining these points, the logical inference is that forcing renewable energy into the market before the technology matures (i.e., before cost and learning curves are optimized) will result in higher costs.

• Therefore, option (c) correctly identifies that early market entry for immature renewable technology is costly, which aligns with the hesitation of business houses mentioned in the text.

Why the other options are wrong

(a) India's commitment to reduce emissions by 33% is unlikely to be achieved.
The passage states the government has 'strongly committed' and 'invested heavily,' so inferring the target is 'unlikely to be achieved' contradicts the stated government action and intent.
(b) India should import gas rather than invest in renewable resources.
The passage mentions a push towards a gas-based economy but does not suggest replacing renewable investment with gas imports; it presents both as part of the strategy.
(d) India should put in more efforts in the exploration of natural gas.
The passage mentions a push towards a gas-based economy but does not provide specific data or logical grounds to infer that 'more efforts' in exploration are the primary rational conclusion over the cost issues of renewables.

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2020, held on 4 October 2020. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

Reading the answer is not the same as getting it right under a clock. Practise this question with UPSC's negative marking, and anything you miss goes into an error notebook until you get it right twice.

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